Strawberry Generation?

I have been hearing a lot of negative comments on the current younger generation work force. Many would refer them as the “Strawberry” generation, which reflects their inability in handling pressure and difficult environment.

Is it true?

I would strongly disagree. Due to the natural of my job, I have been working with a lot of youngster over the last few years, and majority of their age falls under the category of the “Strawberry” generation. But in conflict, I saw their energy and passion in work.

Most of them received at least a certain level of education, which lead them to become better thinker. They have rich knowledge beyond their education field and working industry. They come with great ideas, which are totally out of our mind, and these ideas work well in practical with just a little reality twist. They work hard and truly enjoy their work life. They aim to succeed and they knew what it takes. They constantly create new connection through conversation and Internet with their habits. They are faster learner than us, and the best is that we keep learning without bias.

Let me share one example here;

I got to know this fresh grad Chinese boy from China in Singapore who is working in an international hotel as a front desk agent. This role is totally new to him. He has no experience at all, and he was only in Singapore for less than 4 years to receive education in English, which he wasn’t familiar at all before leaving China. He had only up to 20 days of training with me to learn how to perform his role.

When he was first released to front, his senior teammates criticize him badly when he forgets things, does not follow the SOP completely, does not meet up to their expectation, and etc. He was unhappy. Therefore, he came to me as I was his trainer, and shared this frustration with me.

As a trainer, I can’t blame my senior employees, because they were doing what they believe is right; setting up the standard and following the book. So the only thing I asked this boy is “Did you learn from those criticizes, and are you capable to avoid being criticize on the same task again?” The boy answer me “Yes”. Then I told him “So in such case you have won this bet. You have won the bet for being criticize once on a specific issue to avoid to be nag ever again.” I can see from his eyes that he was not satisfied with my way of handling such issue.

Therefore, I prompted him the next question, “Why do you choose to stay and work in Singapore than return home?”. The young gentleman looked me in the eyes and reply, “I want to return home with experience, so I can earn more salary than others and better support my family”. So I told him, “Then continue to learn and outshine yourself amount the team. You will only return with success after you earn a title here.”

Another month later, I have learned that the boy has been the top performer within the team and has helped the hotel to generate great extra revenue from upselling.

He did not succeed because of my words. He succeeds because he has re-recognized his goal again. At least that’s what I have learned from him through the conversation conducted later.

Our younger work force just needs someone to show them a value, purpose and meaning in their role to motivate them in life. Most them do not want to work for money only and will always seek to further enhance their life with putting everything with a value. Motivate and lead our youngster, we need to learn how to work with them. This is actually much more beneficial for us instead of them at this moment. Do not label them with a tag and excuse ourselves from ignoring their way of living.